Strangefox

I cannot agree with you here. I don't think that SOP is about convincing somebody, it's about showing yourself as a person, something beyond tangible scores, and telling about yourself, your potential research, your fit. That is why most people recommend writing a SOP using the easiest language possible. It's not your hooks and brilliant style that will make you stand out, but your fit as a person and as a researcher. If there is fit, they will want you, if there is no fit, they won't, no matter how exellent your rhetoric skills are. And of course they need to see that you can express your thoughts clearly, otherwise how will you be able to write articles and to communicate your ideas to other scholars? It seems that when you write about convincing, you refer to a negative connotation of this word, that is, making somebody believe something while this something is not exactly true. For example, convincing adcomms that you are a good scholar while you actually aren't. I, personally, see SOP not as convincing but as revealing, revealing your fit, your experience, etc. Scores, on the other hand, do not reveal neither your research, nor your personal fit with a department, that is why they are less important.

Thanks for the advice! One question: I've read that apartment ads on Craigslist are grabbed very quickly. So if I see one, will it be reasonable to start reading about neighborhood at first and looking at Google Maps or should I grab it first and then investigate? And cancel if I don'e like what I will be reading/seeing? Will it be fine or not very good?

Amalia222, Nhyn, thanks for your replies, they really calmed me down! On a second thought... Nhyn, I've reread your reply about stealing and I want now to reformulate my concern. Sure, it's ridiculous to think that they will steal something from me and stay in the same apartment. But what if they steal things and go away?? Like, for good? The very first time I am out of the apartment? Are there any kind of scammers that specialize in doing this? On the other hand, I will definetely not have too much to steal, most of my money being on the bank card and no brilliants in my drawer

Oh, well, it really seems that there are as many opinions about computers as there are people of these boards! And may be even more...

Ok, I'll try to remember that next St. Patrick's day when I am (hopefully) in the US! I have some green clothes!

Me too!

Cool advice!!! Thanks a lot! I guess what I am really afraid about living with someone who is not a friend of a friend is not that they will kill me while I am sleeping but that they can steal something from me. How can I trust a person I don't know?? I guess I am so paranoic about it because I've never lived with a room-mate found online...

One thing that I've learned is that everything is for the better. You got into a good school, right? So congrats! The universe wanted you to end up in this school So dry your tears and remember: You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes you might find You get what you need

Oh, I didn't know that you can get pinched if you don't wear green on St. Partick's day! Is it true?

Wow, what a mix!

But first we'll have to define love and this is not an easy task! Or is it? I've been trying to define love for ages No, seriously! What is love??? How do you separate love from being in love aka infatuation??

Don't be shy! I am sure the professor will understand your concerns!

I agree with Runonsentence, it's not a nice offer... So is it your only one or you have other opportinities? Also, a little question off-topic: What does tl;dr version stand for??

Oh, I think I would like to have a roommate (and to pay less rent!), but I would be afraid to live with somebody who is not a friend of a friend, who is just somebody I found through an internet site... I guess my main concern is that: you wrote that you met a person before you moved in with her (and/or talked with her extensively on the phone) and she looked nice. But I don't believe that you can really learn enough about a person just by seeing this person once and/or talking with them once, even extensively. They can smile and be nice and seem intelligent but who knows what they can turn out to be (a monster-maniac, thinks paranoid me )!!!!

What a great idea! Thanks a lot!!

Thanks! And how do I write a contract? How do I make it legal? So it possible to rent for a shorter term (as you mention in the last paragraph of your reply)? Is it always possible or only with some landlords? I've read that they usually ask you for a one-year contract.

If they wrote that there have been some drama, may be they really mean it? May be they mean Japan, may be they have faculty members there. I don't see anything bureaucratic about it.

Thanks!! There is so much to learn about Craigslist... I will not be renting an apartment from afar, that's for sure. I will go there and look with my own eyes at what is going on there. And I am not going to pay any money before I see a landlord and a place. I hope more people will share their stories about things you should and should not do when renting an apartment.

Oh

Oh, I haven't even known that you can get a TT position without having a PhD Is it possible??

Very interesting info! I'll PM you.

I'm so sorry to hear that... Have they at least apologized?

Thanks!

Is it safer than Craigslist? If so, why?

Thanks, Awvish! Your advice is great. I have certainly been thinking about contacting my department of a grad school office (living with grad students from other departments from my school is also an option). I am lucky to know some people in the city I am going to. And I know some other people who may also know some people in this city. So, theoretically, my chances of renting an apartment from somebody I know are high. But I have been also thinking that Craigslist is another option (once I come to the city and am able to visit apartments advertised there to see them for myself). Now I am not so sure... A lot of people on these boards mentioned Craigslist and even recommended it (used with caution). But I don't know... These stories do not look nice. By the way, what is TGC?